Dumbarton 2 Forfar Athletic 2

Ray McKinnon preserved his undefeated start as Loons manager in a hard-fought encounter in the shadow of Dumbarton Rock in front of a healthy travelling support.

Forfar started the game brightly with a change in formation from last week, playing higher up the park to offer more of an attacking threat which created the platform for the opening goal on the 8th minute. A well worked move between Flannigan and Nditi saw Roberto’s driven ball across the Dumbarton goal-mouth deflected into the net giving the Loons the dream start.

The Loons enjoyed a substantial amount of possession during the first-half particularly across the back-three with Dumbarton sitting in deep as Forfar tried to create an opening, however the Sons were effective in limiting opportunities to play through midfield, forcing Forfar to play longer balls into Flanagan and McCluskey.

On the 38th minute Hutton received a yellow card as he conceded a free-kick just inside his own half to prevent a Dumbarton attack which would prove costly later in the game. Just as it looked like the Loons could take a valuable lead in at the half-time break, a failure to effectively clear the ball allowed Wylde to cut in from the left and curl a right-footed shot through a crowded penalty-area and past a partially-unsighted McCallum.

Half-time: Dumbarton 1 – 1 Forfar

Neither side made any changes for the start of the second-half, however Dumbarton started the second period with greater intent. As the Sons drove at the Forfar back-line, Hutton conceded a 48th minute free-kick as he impeded McKee. Having been booked in the closing stages of the first-half, he was harshly shown a second yellow card, consequently receiving his marching orders, forcing the Loons manager McKinnon to change formation and giving Craig Slater and his team-mates an uphill battle for majority of second half.

Nonetheless, despite being reduced to ten-men, it was Forfar who again took the lead in the 63rd minute. An excellent long-ball released Flanagan into the box, who rode a challenge, which in some cases could easily have seen the referee award a penalty. The official allowed play to continue as the ball broke to McCluskey, who also rode a similar challenge before calmly rolling the ball into the net, with the entire Forfar team celebrating in front of the visiting fans.

This give the ten-man Loons a precious lead to defend, however it only lasted for around a minute. Dumbarton broke quickly down the right soon after the restart and a ball played across the box, in similar fashion to Forfar’s opening goal, allowed Wilson to tap in for the equaliser.

Both teams continued to push for the win creating chances and the Sons came closest with a shot from Ally Love for Dumbarton which struck the inside of the Forfar post and rebounded across the face of goal – thankfully McCallum was on hand to smother the ball. McCallum also made an excellent point-blank save from a Dumbarton shot, albeit the referee ultimately brought back play as a Dumbarton player had strayed offside. The second-half saw Forfar defend resolutely and see out the 90-plus minutes to gain a valuable point.

Full-time: Dumbarton 2 – 2 Forfar

There is no doubt, as with the earlier encounter between the two sides at Station Park, the match defied its status as a top against bottom tussle. Whilst the numbers on the pitch were even, Forfar definitely gave every bit as good as their opponents who occupy a far loftier position in the Cinch League Two table. However, those of a sky-blue persuasion will have left the Dumbarton Stadium happier with the outcome than their counterparts from the West.

Forfar lined-up: McCallum, Hutton, Munro, Dailly, Nditi,Brindley, Docherty (Jack 90’+5), Slater, McCluskey (Hanratty 90’+2), Flanagan (Thomson 76’), Aitken